Pakistan shortlists 5 foreign coaches for cricket

Pakistan cricket authorities have trimmed down their list of candidates for the post of national team coach to five foreign coaches.

Dr Naseem Ashraf, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that five candidates were under consideration but did not give their names.

"We are looking for a young dynamic energetic and qualified foreign coach. The candidates we have received applications from fit this bill and we have to pick the best for our team," he said.

The PCB had advertised the position of national team coach last month setting May 15 as the deadline for interested candidates to apply.

However, sources say no prominent names applied for the position because some of them ruled themselves out due to the condition set by the board that only candidates who have played first class cricket can apply.

Sources said that former West Indian captain, Jimmy Adams and off spinner Roger Harper and Leicestershire coach, Tim Munton were among the candidates who had applied and were being considered for the job.

Pakistan also failed to lure former Australian player, Dav Whatmore for the position after his contract with the Bangladesh team ended. Pakistan had also approached Australian Tom Moody but he preferred to sign for Western Australia.

Whatmore is now said to be in frontrunner for the high-profile coaching assignment of the Indian team.

The board has constituted a special three-member committee to select the candidate whose name would be put up for approval at the ad-hoc committee meeting being held next month in Lahore.